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Warm Spiced Granola (Gluten-Free + Vegan)

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Warm Spiced Granola – Made with vanilla and a cozy spice blend, this homemade granola smells and tastes AMAZING. (Gluten-Free + Vegan)

Sheet Pan of Gluten Free Warm Spiced Granola

Have you ever heard of that house-selling trick where you bake a batch of cookies before someone comes over for a showing so your house smells really good and people feel at home there?

I’m here to tell you that granola does the same kind of thing.

I used to do this all the time when we had in-home visits and appointments (remember when people came over?). In the scurry of speed-cleaning the living room and kitchen, I’d pop a quick batch of granola in the oven and the house would smell AMAZING. For HOURS.

Even these days when no one’s coming over (and our house isn’t for sale), I love giving my house that little cozy gift. A batch of granola only takes 5-10 minutes to mix up and pop in the oven, and the sweet smell floats around the house for ages. Plus, then you have a yummy breakfast/snack to enjoy at the end!

Today’s recipe is a warm spiced granola that will make your breakfast dreams come true. Laced with vanilla and my delicious blend of spices, this yummy granola will taste even better than it smells. Which is saying something.

Here’s what you need to get started…

Large glass mixing bowl of ingredients for warm spiced granola Overhead view of Jar of Gluten Free Warm Spiced Granola

HERE’S WHAT GOES INTO MY WARM-SPICED GRANOLA.

ROLLED OATS (GLUTEN-FREE, AS NEEDED). Rolled oats form the base of this spiced granola. They’re hearty, whole-grain, and provide the perfect backdrop for all the lovely spices!

SHAVED COCONUT. I used shaved coconut in my warm spiced granola recipe because the larger pieces toast to a lovely golden color and add a little variety. (Don’t be confused with shredded coconut, which is finer and will cook much faster.)

SLICED ALMONDS + PUMPKIN SEEDS. For a little crunch, I love adding a mix of sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds. Sliced almonds will toast just like the shaved coconut, and the pumpkin seeds add a pop of color and flavor that’s delightful in homemade granola.

CHIA SEEDS. Chia seeds add a tiny little crunch that’s fabulous, and they can help the mixture stick together a bit more. If you don’t have them or like them, feel free to leave them out! Or, swap in hemp hearts or ground flax instead.

VANILLA + WARM SPICES. Here’s where the flavor magic happens. For my warm spiced granola, I use a combination of vanilla extract, ground cardamom, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. It’s INCREDIBLE. It almost reminds me of chai spice, and the flavor is unforgettable. So good.

AVOCADO OIL + PURE MAPLE SYRUP. To help the mixture stick together and distribute the flavor, I add avocado oil and pure maple syrup to my spiced granola. I love that this granola is sweet, but not TOO sweet. (Know what I mean?)

Jar of Gluten Free Warm Spiced Granola Bowl of Gluten Free Warm Spiced Granola with almond milk and blueberries

5 YUMMY WAYS TO EAT THIS WARM SPICED GRANOLA

IN A BOWL WITH MILK. Basic, easy, classic. Pour a little warm spiced granola into a bowl and pour over some cold almond milk (or whatever you love!). Add a few fresh berries or some sliced banana, if you want!

SPRINKLED OVER YOGURT OR SMOOTHIE BOWLS. My favorite! I love adding a little crunch to yogurt bowls or smoothie bowls. Fresh fruit + yogurt or smoothie + granola = a delicious breakfast or snack!

ADDED TO PARFAITS OR CHIA PUDDING. Or, add that granola crunch to a fruit + yogurt parfait or on top of your favorite chia pudding. (I think it’s amazing on coconut chia pudding or blueberry chia pudding!)

BY THE HANDFUL LIKE TRAIL MIX! Keep things simple and just enjoy a handful like a trail mix for an afternoon snack. It’s got great flavor and pairs nicely with a fresh piece of fruit.

AS A TOPPING FOR APPLE NACHOS. Speaking of snacks + fresh fruit, my apple nachos are great with a little granola as a topping! This flavor of granola is dynamite with apples, peanut or almond butter, and other goodies!

Overhead view of Yogurt Bowl with Warm Spiced Granola, fresh berries, sliced banana, and peanut butter

FAQ + TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE BEST SPICED GRANOLA.

HOW TO GET CLUSTERS IN HOMEMADE GRANOLA. If you’re a fan of big clusters in your granola, you can help things along by packing the granola tightly together with a spatula right when it comes out of the oven. It’ll sit together while it cools and set into bigger clusters. Or, you can mix in an egg white along with the avocado oil + syrup (not vegan). Egg white doesn’t add flavor, but it *does* help create clusters!

PRO TIP: TRY USING A SILICONE MAT! I recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat so that your granola doesn’t stick to the pan. I love silicone mats because they’re reusable (yay!), and work great in applications like this! (You can also use them for cookies, toasting nuts, and so much more!)

GLUTEN-FREE? READ THIS! If you’re gluten intolerant, be sure you’re buying certified gluten-free oats to avoid cross-contamination. We like Bob’s Red MillThrive MarketOne Degree, and Trader Joe’s brands.

WHAT’S CARDAMOM? DO I HAVE TO USE IT? If you’ve never bought cardamom before, I promise you it’s worth it, even just for this recipe. (Though I have lots of recipes that use it from Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, to Spiced Pear Sauce, to Pumpkin Cake, and so much more.) It’s warming and bright and just different enough to leave you wanting more. I highly recommend it for this recipe. If you’re nervous, look for it in a bulk spice section at stores like Sprouts, where you can buy just the amount you need for the recipe before getting a whole bottle.

HOW LONG WILL HOMEMADE GRANOLA STAY FRESH? A batch of my warm spiced granola will keep fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks.

Yogurt Bowl with Warm Spiced Granola, fresh berries, sliced banana, and peanut butter

CRAVING MORE TASTY BREAKFAST IDEAS? YOU MIGHT LIKE…

HELPFUL TOOLS + INGREDIENTS FOR THIS SPICED GRANOLA RECIPE:

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Overhead view of Jar of Gluten Free Warm Spiced Granola

Warm Spiced Granola


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: One Lovely Life
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 cups granola 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Warm Spiced Granola – Made with vanilla and a cozy spice blend, this homemade granola smells and tastes AMAZING. (Gluten-Free + Vegan)


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups rolled oats (certified gluten-free, if needed)
  • 1 cup unsweetened shaved coconut (not shredded)
  • 3/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 2 Tbsp. chia seeds (or ground flax or hemp hearts)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil (can sub melted coconut oil)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until everything is well-coated with the spices, oil, and syrup.
  3. Spread the granola out in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden and lovely, stirring every 10 minutes to allow granola to toast evenly.
  5. Remove from the oven and pack tightly together with a spatula. Allow the granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. (Packing it together will help form clusters.)
  • Prep Time: About 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 min
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Amercan

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6 Comments

  1. This sounds very yummy. I will be giving it a try immediately, and will gladly add additional shaved coconut if Sophie can come help me eat it!

  2. I’m in Chile and we’re getting pretty deep into the season of warm and spiced foods! A hearty oatmeal, maybe an apple pie, a good beef stew, all sound awesome. Looks delicious!

    1. Julianne – I think honey would work well. I’ve never cooked or baked with agave, so I’m not positive about it. Hope that helps!

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